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A recent spate of robberies in the downtown Waltham area, like a violent incident Wednesday near 27 Oak St. that sent a victim to the hospital with serious head injuries, has police increasing patrols in the downtown area.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Boston.com Staff

Waltham authorities are urging locals to be vigilant after there has been a spike in unarmed robberies downtown, including an incident Wednesday that sent a victim to the hospital with serious head injuries, police said.

Authorities said that several people have been robbed in the past month and a half in the neighborhood just east of Moody Street, including this week.

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., one victim was walking on Oak Street when three men attacked from behind, taking the victim's wallet. The three suspects left the victim with serious injuries to the face and neck, police said.

The suspect's wallet was found after police canvassed the neighborhood, authorities said.

Most of the robberies occurred at nighttime when the victims were walking alone. The perpetrator or perpetrators would then attack their victims from behind, police said.

Waltham police are also stepping up patrols and adding officer presence downtown in light of the crimes, they said in a statement.

Police are encouraging locals to remain wary when they're walking around the downtown area, making sure they can both see and hear what is going on around them.

Waltham police representatives could not immediately be reached for further information.

Anyone with any information on the robberies should call the Waltham Police Department at 781-314-3600, or the anonymous tip line at 781-314-3636. Visit the police department's Facebook page for more information or descriptions of the suspects in Wednesday's attack.